West Australian Rowing Club

Submission on the Redevelopment ofBarrack Square

Photo courtesy of Baytte Library (26748P)

WARC Submission

on the Draft Master Plan

for the Redevelopment of Barrack Square

prepared by Hames Sharley

for the Ministry of Premier and Cabinet

Dated: October 1998

Prepared by: Richard Poole

Patron - West Australian Rowing Club

Telephone: 9249 5085

Mobile: 0417 941 297

5 Carson Road

MALAGA WA 6090

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Recommendations

Issues

HISTORY OF THE WEST AUSTRALIAN ROWING CLUB

REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL - BROAD OVERVIEW

CURRENT PROPOSAL - COMMENT

SUMMARY

ANNEXURES

A-H

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

RECOMMENDATIONS

The West Australian Rowing Club would like to recommend the following:-

> The establishment of a 2000 metre or a minimum 1700 metre aquatic course on

the Perth foreshore.

> Amendments to the plan to ensure that the aquatic course can finish successfully

at Barrack Square with access points to the river from this development.

> The construction of further boardwalk areas allowing for the extension of the

existing kiosk and for the loading and unloading of boats in the river as set out in

Annexure F

> Provision of grassed areas on the foreshore (west of the rowing shed) for boat

loading and unloading on event days.

> Motor boats be moved from the direct area surrounding the rowing club and tie

up points be provided further out into the river or on the West Side of the square

as originally occurred.

> Access to and from the Club by members and rowing trailers must be considered.

> Storage for the trailer needs to be provided.

> Safe, close parking facilities.

> Motor boat speeds in the Barrack Square aquatic square be set at minimums.

4

ISSUES

The issues that must be considered in the redevelopment of Barrack Square for the

Club include: -

> Access and egress for transportation and movement of boats from the Club to

current regattas at Canning Bridge.

> Storage and access to the boat trailer, which has been kept on the Perth

foreshore for the last 30 years.

> Service access for the service vehicles to the function room and to the kiosk (all

proceeds from which are used to maintain the building).

> Boat launching facilities to ensure the viability of future regatta events and

ongoing regular use of the rowing Club.

> Provision of grassed areas west of the rowing shed for boat handling on regatta

days.

> Access for the public to boat ramps whilst launching eight's is regarded as a

safety and security risk. As advised the current drawings would not allow for

eight's to be launched and berthed at the ramp.

> The danger of mixing motor craft with paddle craft and swimming activities.

> The development of suitable entry and exit points for the finish of events on Perth

water at the aquatic square.

> Extension to the seating area for the current kiosk to ensure the maintenance of

the shed.

> Safe, close parking.

> Overall foreshore development planning.

5

HiSTORY OF THE WEST AUSTRALIAN ROWING CLUB

The West Australian Rowing Club was first formed in the colony of Western

Australian in 1868. It is Western Australia's first rowing club and was intricately

involved in the early activities of the colony. The initial clubhouse was built near the

foot of Mill Street (west side of Barrack Square).

In 1905 the current building was established at its present site. Pictures illustrating

the club are attached as Annexure A. This move coincided with the development of

Union Square or the Barrack Street Jetties as we now know them. The WARC

boatshed has remained at this site ever since and has formed an integral part of the

development of Perth. The club house was the site of many functions and dances in

the first and second world war and was given a major facelift in 1962 for the Empire

Games held in Perth in that year.

In 1991 the Club was in a sorry state of disrepair and the Marine and Harbours had

requested a demolition order. The club arranged for the restoration of the shed and,

in conjunction with a vast array of commercial and government bodies, has ensured

that the shed is nearly completely restored. Club members have raised funds and

worked extensively on the restoration. Finalisation of the boat ramp is still required

and some internal fittings and fixtures still need completion. The boatshed is listed

on the heritage list and further details of the Club history are set out in Annexure B.

This history is not reflected in the background information for the master plan.

6

REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL - BROAD OVERVIEW

The West Australian Rowing Club has always been a supporter of the

redevelopment of the Perth foreshore area. The writer, Mr Richard Poole and Mr

Charles Somerset have been involved in the redevelopment of the area since 1990

and have extensive experience in the unique issues facing this precinct.

It is our view that the redevelopment of Barrack Square must be looked at in the

context of the overall foreshore plan. Whereas it is not necessary to fully determine

what should happen on the foreshore it is necessary to consider what is required.

Clearly there is a strong desire from the State Government, the Perth City Council

and the people of Perth to see the foreshore come alive with activity and for people

to attend and visit this particular area of Perth. To ensure this happens it is also

clear that you need to have facilities to run activities and attract people. The Lord

Mayor's Cup Regatta, run by the WARC, has proven that suitable activities will draw

people to the area. Any development must also reflect the attributes of Perth and be

in keeping with the environment and natural surrounds. Obviously cost

considerations must also be considered and it is preferable for any plans to be

developed in stages, with each stage being a complete proposal within itself.

To ensure that people are attracted to the river and its activities, it is clear that it is

preferable to attract specific and regular events. Obviously as a rowing club, the

West Australian Rowing Club believes that increased rowing activity can be held on

the Perth foreshore along with a range of other aquatic activities. For some time the

WARC has been planning the development of an aquatic water course for all water

sports along the front of the Perth water. Now is the time to implement this plan

The West Australian Rowing Club believes that the State Government should set

aside funding to establish a 2000 metre or a minimum 1700 metre aquatic

racecourse. This racecourse would run along the front of Riverside Drive,

commencing from either within Heirisson Island or on its existing banks, and finishing

slightly east of the West Australian Rowing Club. Due to length restrictions the

7

development of Barrack Square must take into account provision of facilities for the

finish of such events. The WARC believes an aquatic square should be developed

to promote and support these aquatic events.

Attached as Annexure C is a diagram illustrating where the aquatic course could be

established and the facilities that can easily and very inexpensively be developed to

ensure that aquatic events can be held in front of Perth.

The establishment of a 2000 metre or 1700 metre aquatic course would lead to a

huge increase in activity on the Perth Foreshore.

The course would be available for: -

• Rowing events such as

- Head of the River regattas,

- Regular Amateur Rowing Association of Western Australia (ARAWA)

competitions,

- ARAWA championships, and

- Regular schoolboy and schoolgirl events.

• Kayak races,

• Dragon Boat races,

• Surf ski races,

• Triathlon events and long distance swimming events,

• Sprint Canoeing, and

• Corporate Sporting Activities.

To ensure the success of such an aquatic course, minimal changes to the foreshore

would be required. The following items are regarded as critical: -

• The acquisition of aquatic wave diffusers (known as nodding ducks) to ensure

good water quality conditions at all times (only towed into place for the running of

each event).

8

• For a 2000 metre course, the modification to Heirisson Island to open the inland

lake to allow hand held starts from within Heirisson Island.

• For a 1700 metre course, minimal changes to the existing shoreline of Heirisson

Island to allow hand held starts.

• Minor changes to the new fence line on Heirisson Island may also be required.

• The modification of the Barrack Square development to allow for entry and exit by

competitors from the finish line of the aquatic course which would be situated

some 20 metres east of the existing rowing club building.

• The development of an aquatic square on the west side of Barrack Square

The aquatic wave diffusers should be attached to the channel marker existing buoys

on event days only. These nodding ducks can be towed and simply attached in

place by relevant craft on event days.

The Perth foreshore, west of the rowing shed, and causeway carparks can be used

for assembly and starting areas for all events. The reserve in the front of the WACA

could also be used for major events. Viewing facilities along the Perth foreshore can

also be established. Storage facilities for the nodding ducks can be on the north¬

east side of the causeway, either on Heirisson Island itself or on Perth City side.

Given the need for an aquatic course, the Barrack Square redevelopment proposal

needs to be considered in the light of how a finishing line for such events needs to

be addressed and how it fits into the proposal.

The West Australian Rowing Club also believes that a long term goal should be to

see the restoration of the previous boat sheds along the foreshore with particular

emphasis on the first stage being the reconstruction of the Perth Dinghy Club. Refer

Annexure D. A picture showing the sheds situated along the foreshore is also

attached as Annexure E.

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The West Australian Rowing Club therefore strongly recommends the establishment

of an aquatic course, the redevelopment of Barrack Square to allow for competitors

and paddle craft to enter and exit the water from Barrack Square and the

development of an aquatic square. The Rowing Club would prefer to see power craft

use the West side of the Barrack Square or at least have only minimal tie ups on the

Southern end of the extended jetty. The Club does recognise that some powerboat

access may be preferred and believes that aquatic square should be either a no go

zone or with strict speed limits. Pleasure craft can tie up further out and suitable

boardwalking and access ways should be established so swimmers can enter and

exit the water at the eastern side of Barrack Square. The Rowing Club would also

like to see further entry and exit points for rowing craft established alongside the

rowing shed as detailed in Annexure F. 1700 metre and 2000 metre starting points

are illustrated in Annexure G.

The suggestion set out above is a very low cost solution to the question of bringing

activity and people to the Perth foreshore. These events ensure that Barrack Square

becomes the centre and finish line for these events and an amphitheater type

atmosphere could be established with the development of the aquatic square. With

the reconstruction of sheds along the foreshore further activities and possibly shops

could add to a boardwalk atmosphere running up to the Concert Hall carpark,

thereby ensuring that parking and activities are sensibly interlinked.

We are sure that the attached would received support from all aquatic sports and

indeed the course may be suitable for other activities not mentioned here.

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CURRENT PROPOSAL - COMMENT

The West Australian Rowing Club sees a number of difficulties with the current

proposal.

The Rowing Club is a competitive and functioning rowing club and requires access to

and from its shed with ease. The shed is in use 7 days a week for training on Perth

water. Access must be adequate for members, service vehicles, loaded boat trailers

(an 8 is over 17 metres long) and for additional support vehicles (trailers etc.)

involved in events held on the Perth water. The design must allow for suitable

access, particularly considering the maneuverability of a loaded boat trailer, parking

and the safety of members is also a high priority. The provision of grassed areas

west of the Club for use on regatta days is also a priority.

Currently the Club operates from a boat launching ramp 15 metres long that is fixed

to the southern side of the shed. This ramp is in need of extension (to the left and

right wings of the shed) and repair, safety and security issues must also be

considered. The ramp should be a floating ramp and the Club requests assistance

in this regard. Boardwalks, as illustrated, would not allow boats to be launched from

the shed. The Club does need greater access to the river and with the holding of

events such as the Lord Mayor's Cup Regatta and hopefully further regattas in

conjunction with the aquatic course, more and more access for boats and people to

the river will be required.

The Club does however see that additional boardwalks would add to the area and

has set out in the attached Annexure F, its preferred proposal. These boardwalks

ensure that additional access to the river is obtained and other launch facilities are

provided for aquatic regattas of any type. If sufficient boardwalk space is provided

this would allow for storage of the trailer, though the Club would prefer for the

government to assist in constructing a boat shed trailer close to the existing shed.

The trailer is currently parked on the foreshore and whatever occurs, storage must

be provided for.

n

The existing kiosk is leased and funds are deposited in a separate building

maintenance account to maintain the shed. To increase the viability of the kiosk and

ensure the shed can be properly maintained the WARC would like the boardwalk to

be extended to allow for an extension to the seating area for the kiosk on the west

side of the shed along with additional launch facilities.

The mixture of power boat traffic with rowing boats and paddle craft is a lethal and

dangerous suggestion and the WARC would prefer the area to be used for aquatic

sports, with motor boat tie ups limited to the western side of Barrack Square and to

the southern end of the extended jetties, if at all. Refer Annexures F & H. Annexure

H shows the old mooring sites at Barrack Square on the western side.

The issues that must be considered in the redevelopment of Barrack Square for the

Club include: -

> Access and egress for transportation and movement of boats from the Club to

current regattas at Canning Bridge.

> Storage and access to the boat trailer, which has been kept on the Perth

foreshore for the last 30 years.

> Service access for the service vehicles to the function room and to the kiosk (all

proceeds from which are used to maintain the building).

> Boat launching facilities to ensure the viability of future regatta events and

ongoing regular use of the rowing Club.

> Provision of grassed areas west of the rowing shed for boat handling on regatta

days.

> Access for the public to boat ramps whilst launching eight's is regarded as a

safety and security risk. As advised the current drawings would not allow for

eight's to be launched and berthed at the ramp.

— 12

> The danger of mixing motor craft with paddle craft and swimming activities.

> The development of suitable entry and exit points for the finish of events on Perth

water at the aquatic square.

> Extension to the seating area for the current kiosk to ensure the maintenance of

the shed.

> Safe, close parking.

> Overall foreshore development planning.

13

SUMMARYThe West Australian Rowing Club would like to recommend the following:-

1. The establishment of a 2000 metre or a minimum 1700 metre aquatic course on

the Perth foreshore.

2. Amendments to the plan to ensure that the aquatic course can finish successfully

at Barrack Square with access points to the river from this development as per

Annexure F.

3. The construction of further boardwalk areas allowing for the extension of the

existing kiosk and for the loading and unloading of boats in the river as set out in

Annexure F

4. Provision of grassed areas on the foreshore (west of the rowing shed) for boat

loading and unloading on event days.

5. Motor boats be moved from the direct area surrounding the rowing club and tie

up points be provided further out into the river or on the West Side of the square

as originally occurred.

6. Access to and from the Club by members and rowing trailers must be considered.

7. Storage for the trailer needs to be provided.

8. Safe, close parking facilities.

9. Motor boat speeds in the Barrack Square aquatic square be set at minimums.

The West Australian Rowing Club would like to have a permanent member on any

foreshore development committee and the Club continues to be concerned that, as

the only functioning activity on the foreshore, it is not given due regard and due

allowance for the operation of a successful club. The club is one of the first in

Western Australia and the oldest rowing club. We would appreciate any assistance

you can give and request a meeting to formally discuss the above proposals.

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Annexure A

Photo courtesy of Baytte Library (BA671/1)

Photo courtesy of Baytte Library (26748P)

Annexure B

POEM. 'A RACING 'EIGHT' by James L. Cuthbertson

"Who knows it not,Who loves it not,The long and steady swingThe instant dip, the iron grip,The 'rowlocks linked ring.The arrowing sway of hands away,The slider oiling aft.The forward sweep, the backward leapThat speed the flying craft.

A racing Eight a perfect mould,True to the builders law.What takes' the waters gleaming gold,Without a single flaw,A ship deep resonant withinHarmonious to the coreThat vibrates to her polished skin,The tune of wave and oar.

Foreword by: Leslie Le Souef, O.B.E., E.D. (Club Patron)

The advent of its Centenary is a notable occasionin the history of any, and indeed every, Sporting Club.That its individuality should remain over such a periodof time is in itself perhaps remarkable. With a heritageof one hundred years this the first Rowing Club to beformed on the Swan River looks back with pride on itspast, examines the present and strengthened by the humi¬lity born of the knowledge of the achievements of thosenow passed on, faces the future hopeful that the torch litby its founders will be burning even brighter as it ishanded on to those yet to come.

Many Sports demand much of the individual. Selfdiscipline with subordination of self to the strivingsand endeavours of those others training and competingtogether must be of the highest order and in this regardRowing takes a foremost place. It is not without interestthat a Club demanding such qualities of character fromits Members should mcoude in its ranks, men who haveachieved much. In their younger days a state premier,learned judges, and many other leaders in the variousprofessions have been proud to row for the Club, along¬side men drawn from all walks of life, and their mutualregard and friendship have never been dimmed. It tshoped to bring this great occasion much closer to theminds of past and present members. The Club over theyears has had its vicissitudes, but nevertheless, theSpirit of Rowing has inspired it and will assuredly doso for countless years to come.

Well rowed, "The Wests"'

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THE FIRST TWENTY YEARSThis is a brief history record of the first rowing

Club formed in the Colony of Western Australia in 1868.Two old boats - fixed seat fours - were found in the mudat South Perth, they were probably discarded army craftsent out for use by the officers of the garrison.

These boats were the humble beginning of veryproud and distinguished rowing club, known as the WestAustralian Rowing Club, they were used for racingamong interested colonists who became the first mem¬bers. To start with, the members raced amongst them¬selves but later another club was started at Fremantle,followed shortly afterwards by the Swan River RowingClub.

In 1883, some of the club members includingSir Walter James, later State Premier, R.B. Burnside,afterwards a Judge, J.N. Drummond, founder of J.N.Drummond & Co., Geo. Hillman, Clerk of LegislativeCouncil, W.A.G. Walter, Police Magistrate, H.S. King,Surveyor General and Minister for Lands, and FredSpencer, Commissioner of Stamps, gathered in the Cri¬terion Hotel, and in the discussion that ensued, it wasdecided that the W.A.R.C. be properly constituted witha set of racing colours of blue and white. The Clubarchives contain a copy of these first rules presentedto the Club by our old friend, George Rogers.

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THE SECOND TWENTY YEARSIn 1902, Governor Lawley attended the Club's

Annual Ball, which was a big social occasion each yearfor many years.

At this time the headquarters of the Club was asmall wooden shed at the foot of Mill Street. The Clubfleet was augmented by an Eight m August 1903. Thisboat was built by George McCarter and was the firstEight built in the colony in McCarter's boat shed nearthe Club premises.

In 1903 there was a walking race from the Clubhouse to Claremont and back along a dusty pot-holedlimestone road. There was a big entry and E.S. Walkerwon, with Karl During second.

4

Type of fixed scat four used by the initial members of theClub.

The first clubhouse built near the foot of Mill Street. The P10tur®shows the olub fleet just before the turn of the century. On the lefis the "gig" type craft .used for taking ladies out on the river.

The original members of the W.A.R.C. taken in 1884.

5

The membership at the time, consisted of thegentlemen of the colony, mostly army officers and pro¬fessional men and the subscription was £2.2.0. perannum. Before admission a member had'to have a pro¬poses and seconder and the same rule applies today. Inthose days it was difficult to gam admittance and theactive membership was m the vicinity of 300. To obtaina seat in a boat a member had to put his name 'up on aboard and quite often a race developed across the Es¬planade in competition for seats m the available boats.

Winners of the first eight-oar race ever held in Western Australia.

Rowed on the Canning River, October 26th, 1903. Bob Joyce (Stroke):Bob Hannah (7): George King (6): Jack Cowain (5). George Walks (4):Charlie Streat (3); Don Harris (2): Horace Jones (bow): Don McLean(cox).

Rowed on Opening Day of New Shed March, 10th, 1906."SHENTON" FOURS. ' -

Won by W.A. Goland (Stroke), L.J. Jones (3), J.E. Rielly (2), A.A. And¬rews (Bow), A. Howard (Cox).

6

Shortly after '1903 the other clubs purchasedEights and races began. The first Eight oar races werefor Maidens and Juniors at Canning Bridge. W.A.R.C.won both races with a crew consisting of R. Joyce,Stroke, R. Hannah, G. King, J. Cowan, C. Street, G. Wal-hs, D. Harris, H. Jones, Bow, D. McLean, Cox, andH. Rockett, Coach.

It was after a regatta at Guildford in 1904 thatthe Club colours of blue and white were changed tocardinal and gold. ,

1904 or 5, when the Club fleet consisted of 3Eights, 3 Fours, 1 Pair, 2 Tub Pairs and 1 Scull, wasa most important year m the Club history; it was in thisyear that a committee comprising K. Fourdriner, E.S.Walker, Harry Bell, W.A. Goland, Horace Jones andothers including the Captain, W.H. Young, who was aPublic Works Department Engineer, obtained the siteon which the Club House now stands, at the foot ofBarrack Street, by interview with the then GovernorLawley. The finance for the Clubhouse was particularlydifficult until the idea of issue of debentures was de¬cided on. Each interested supporter purchased one ormore debentures of £10 and m this way the new Club¬house was paid for. Many years afterwards CommitteeMembers were occasionally approached by executors ofdeceased estates to ascertain the value of these deben¬tures. Fortunately no one pressed claims and the Club'salways difficult financial position was not therefore,adversely affected.

The first Champion 8's was m 1908 and was wonby Swans stroked by Bert Sadler in opposition to BobJoyce. The race was so close that an excited supporterof the W.A.R.C. fell off the bow of "Bennett's" launch.

The shod in 1962 when it received a major face liftfor the Empire Games held in Perth in that year.

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THE ARRIVAL AND HISTORY OF GEORGE ROGERS.In 1907 George Rogers, then about 22, arrived in

Western Australia and joined the Club,'and because hemade much of the Club history, we have-incorporatedhis history in this record as a tribute to him. - '

George had his first win in a rowing boat eventin a Junior 4 on the river Lea in England in 1900. Hewon the State Sculling title in 1908 and 'remained un¬defeated sculling champion for 17 years, he won 19champion 8 s and stroked 18 of them. The exception wasin 1947 when he filled the bow seat at a moment's notice.He won a number of Champion 2's and 4's and, altogether,won a total of forty State Championships.

In the interstate sphere he first represented W.A.in the eights in 1908. He next stroked W.A. in Hobartin 1910, in Melbourne in 1914, when W.A. finished 3rd,in 1920 in Brisbane when W.A. was second and in Laun-ceston in Tasmania in 1921, when W.A. made history bywinning the inaugural King's Cup race - Karl Duringwas the coach. Prior to 1921, the race was for theAustralian title only. He was stroke of a crew whichfinished 3rd in Sydney in 1922 and of the crew whichwas very narrowly beaten on the Swan River, the follow¬ing year by the famous Murray Bridge crew from SouthAustralia.

George also stroked two successful W.A. crewsin the Stewards Challenge Cup at the Melbourne Henleyregatta.

In addition to stroking King's Cup crews, he hasalso selected and coached them, perhaps his best crewswere the 1947 and 1951 Interstate Eights, both strokedby the redoubtable Don Fraser.

Winners King's Cup 1921Tasmania

W. White (Cox). G. Rogers (Stroke). F. Slee, J. Child, W. Brown, A.Sadler,J. Gordon, J. Sharpies, H. Mettam (Bow).

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George, continued to scull and row until wellafter his 70th birthday. In 1948, his amazing physicalfitness attracted the attention of the Sydney UniversityDepartment of Physiology. It considered him to be asuitable subject for certain physical experiments. Aftera few tests' m Perth,1 he went to Sydney where he wasput through some long and vigorous experiments. Thereport he afterwards received stated "The general re¬sult of the tests records fact that you have shown anextraordinary degree of physical fitness for a man of65 years. In particular, it indicated that your perfor¬mance was approximately equal to about 75% of whatyou probably recorded as a young man at your very best".

Each year a 12 mile sculling race is conductedfrom Fremantle to Perth, this race was inaugurated byGeorge in 1940, who himself, won this gruelling racein 1952 at the age of 67.

George set a series of records in Western Aus¬tralian rowing which will probably never be equalled.

Barrack St. Jetty — PerthVeteran Oarsman George Rogers dressed in the tradi¬tional "Doggett Coat and Badge" welcomingH.R.H. Oueen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

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ENCOURAGEMENT OF ROWING INPUBLIC SCHOOLS',"

Coaches of the W.A. Rowing Club have from theearly 1900's trained and coached crews for GuildfordGrammar School, Scotch College, Hale School and Chris¬tian Brothers College. The late Judge Edmund Drake-Brockman, afterwards a Judge of the Federal ArbitrationCourt, stroked a winning Guildford crew m 1902, coachedby the Club. Later Hale School used the Club premisesand George Rogers had many successes as coach oftheir crews.

Coaches from the Club have done much to ad¬vance rowing in this State by assisting with PublicSchool crew coaching. Some details of successful coacheswill be of interest.

W.A. Goland .... Scotch College Coach for manyyears

G.E. Rogers .... Hale School coach from 1915 to1945

D.H. Fraser .... Guildford Grammar and ChristChurch

A.G. Rosser .... Hale School

In 1961, members of the W.A.R.C. coached crewsfrom every College represented in the Head of the Riverraces.

D.H. Fraser and G. Norton (Chnstchurch), G.A.Negus and R. Little (Hale School), J.L.C. Wickham andJ.D. Keogh (Guildford Grammar), J. Sharpies (Wesley),T. McKenzie (Aquinas), K. Langley (Scotch College).

CLUB SUCCESSESThe Club has won the Pennant 21 out of 53 times,

the last time being in 1959. 1 ,

A lot of the History of the Club is recorded onshields and cups presented for open competitions. Manychampionships have been won by Club stalwarts. Sincethe inception of the pairs championship "Wests" havewon 25 out of 61. In the fours championship the recordsshow 25 wins out of 52, and m the eights 27 wins out of44. The sculling championship record of wins is evenbetter, 49 wins out of 58.

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16

THE WORLD WARS

The old Club has passed through some very diffi¬cult times, especially just, after the two world wars.Naturally the fitness of oarsmen made them certain ofenlistment, except in special cases, and a past Captainof the Club, Mr. Frank Slee, has a photograph showinga membership of three during the 1914/1918 War. Thesame situation occurred during the 1940/1946 War whenthe Club was carried on mainly by Allun Negus who keptthe boats operational for the service men returning.

POST-WAR DIFFICULTIES AND SUCCESSES.In 1947 just after the war when the Club finances

and rowing were at a fairly low ebb two things happenedto help in its post war build up. 1) The successful Clubmaiden 8 decided to make the trip to the MelbourneHenley regatta. 2) Mr. O.J. Negus (now Mr. JusticeNegus) opened an appeal for funds for a new racingpair, which to this day is still in regular use by theClub and bears the name of its sponsor. In this yearalso the racing four "May Filmer" was christened asa token of the very high esteem held for Mrs. Filmerand her husband who was also a willing helper at theClub.

In 1950 the "Carl During" was christened. Thisfour was purchased with financial assistance from theeS'Pte of this esteemed member. The boat is still givinggood service. In this year an active committee raisedthe balance of th" funds for the purchase of this newfour by > running "The Big Swindle" i.e. a boat fundwhere contributors paid 1/- a week for 20 weeks (over£200 was raised.

In 1954, a turning point m the racing successesof the Club occurred with the purchase of the "DonFraser". This boat proved very fast "and is 'still goingstrong despite many repairs.

1956 saw the Club fleet in its -best order everwith the addition of a new racing pair'and ' four. TheGeorge Rogers and the Guy Negus respectively, bothboats are still giving good service although they showsigns of the good use to which they have been put.

In 1958 the Club, with its first class fleet wonthe Association pennant for the first time since 1947.The win was by the good margin of 64 points after havingbeen very close to the previous few .years.

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In 1959 the pennant came to Wests again by aneven greater margin.

•THE, CLUB FLEET

follows:The _ present fleet and date of purchase is as

19381939194019461948195019541956

19571959-1960'1961,19621962

Sprook LangleyTub pair

World War

(Pair) O.J. Negus .(4) Carl During , '(8) Don "Fraser(8) E.L. Barrett(4) Guy Negus(2) George Rogers(4)'Ed Negus',(8) Norm foldingJ..Banfield Tub PairOld timers tub pairRomsey (second

hand 4 forTuart Hill)

1963 (4) Bill Hare1964 Scimitar (second

hand 8 for Apple-cross)

1965 Aspire (second hand4 for Scarborough)

1966 J.H. Best(secondhand 8 for Church-lands)

1967 (8) Bill Ninham1967 Australian Native

(second hand 8 forTuart Hill) & GGS(second hand 4 forApplecross)

1968 (2) Terry Scook

A total of 21 boats.

1

THE LAST TWENTY YEARS

Somehow or other, and occasionally with the helpand guidance of old members the Club has struggledalong. The last twenty years have been extremely diffi¬cult, with a small membership and mounting repairs foran old Club House continually battered by wind and waves.

In 1961 the condition of the Club House wasvery bad and repairs were completely beyond the capa¬bilities of the then active members. At the same timethe Government of the day began a programme of theriver r^claimation which threatened the very existenceof the Club. A few old members called a general meetingwhich was held at the Perth Club, in Sherwood Court.

19

At this meeting a committee consisting of K.WLanglej^ D.H. Fraser/'G.A. Negus, J.C. Banfield,J.L C. "Wickham and the Club Captain were electedto back'the Club up." An overdraft was arranged underguarantee and money was made available to the membersfor essential repairs to i the old club house to enablecompliance with Health 'Department orders, and to en¬able the Club to carry on whilst finance was raised fora new Club House.

Work went on for two and a half years and thefinal result was that from a wreck, a new club and spiritbegan to emerge. A considerable sum of money wasraised towards a new club house whilst the additionalincome earned by the rehabilitated Club house began topay for the repairs and new boats.

At the time of writing the Club finances werebecoming increasingly strong and the Club fleet wasbeing used to the fullest extent, not only by Club mem¬bers but by schoolboys (and some girls) (rom the TuartHill, Applecross, Churchlands and Scarborough SeniorHigh Schools.

The encouragement of rowing in Senior HighSchools was a personal effort by Guy Negus helped byHerb Ende and Bill Hare, when the pressure became toogreat. Guy recognised the difficulty of obtaining recruitsfrom Public Schools as these boys almost always joinedthe University Club and his encouragement of boys fromthe High Schools has resulted in a new and more optimis¬tic spirit in the Club. Crews began winning again in 1967and a special effort was made in 1968 to raise funds tosend members to the Melbourne Henley regatta in Marchof that year. Much thought and planning went into thiseffort and actual training and fund raising commencedm January 1967. From a very small beginning this effortdeveloped into a major undertaking and combined clubmembers more than any other known effort m the past.From one eightthe entries grew and grew until a crew wasentered for almost every race in the Melbourne Henleyregatta.

The total cost of the trip was over $3,000 and itis interesting to note that this was raised mainly byyoung members of an average age of about 18 years. Theamount raised was equal to the overdraft guaranteed byold members six yea-s earlier and of which $2,200 was

still owing at the tune of writing. It was an indicationof what can be done with young people if they receive

21

guidance and encouragement. In this case mothers, sis¬ters, and girl friends came to the fore and the ClubLadies Committee headed by Mrs. Nmham and ably as-'sisted by Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Salisburyand Mrs. Ballantine, handed the boys a,cheque for,$250with a promise of another $100 if it was needed. Themain effort was the historic "ROWATHON" when twoeights and a four rowed to Guildford and back in a tem¬perature of 107°. This raised over $600 and made theHenley trip possible for additional crews such as theState High Schools eight, a combination of 5 Tuart Hill3 Churchlands and 1 Applecross rowers and a juniorfour and a light weight four.

We look forward to the future with a confidencebuilt on past achievement and trust that the members ofthe future will carry on the wonderful traditions estab¬lished by the innumerable fine men who have passedthrough the doors of ''WESTS". ¦ •

With guidance and help from old members, theClub will commence its second hundred years in goodheart and with high hopes for future successes to en¬able it to maintain its enviable past records.

A

1HTERHAT10NAL'RE PRESENT AT IVES

Durston, B.H Olympic Eight - Rome, 1960Francis, M.A

Freeth, G Empire Games Four-Sydney, 1938.

Fraser, D.H

Le Souef, F Empire Games Eight,- Sydney,1938.

Mettam, G.W No. 7 of the A.I.F. Crew which wonthe King's Cup at the Royal Hen¬

ley Peace Regatta, England, 1919.Ninham, R.A Olympic Eight - ROme, 1960.

Rosser, J.G

Scook, T.J

22

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Jin out&ne of Jfistory of the West flustraRan (Rowing Cfu6 (BoatsRed, its setting

and sociaC context.

Researched by Tanya Suba B.A. (Hons) and Shan Callow B.A., Grad. Dip. Lib.

The West Australian Rowing Club (W.A.R.C.) was established in 1868 as the first Rowing Clubin the colony, drawing its members mostly from "army officers and professionals". Some of thefirst boats were thought to have been discarded by "officers of the garnson", and then "were usedfor racing among interested colonists who became the first members"2

Pnor to construction of the existing building in 1905, the club operated from a timber singlestorey boatshed at the foot of Barrack Street3 as indicated on early maps of the nver andphotographs (see illustrations 1 & 2). At that time there were many buildings on the Perthforeshore accommodating wharves for transport and industry, boat houses, swimming baths,rowing and yacht clubs. The rowing and sailing clubs were a focus for not only recreational usebut also for the entertainment and social activities of the residents of Perth at the turn of thecentury. CT Stannage in "The People of Perth" records "even the poorer residents of East Perthcould come to the foreshore and see the more affluent Westralians at play on the water. Rowingwas also a popular sport with both the leisured classes and those workers who could afford the£1.13s entrance fee and £2.5s subscription. Workers and others could and did bet on racesconducted by the WA Rowing Association, and the achievements of some of the famousAustralian scullers were followed in the local press".4

In 1905 the new boatshed was built on its present site following an approach to Governor Lawley,to secure the site.5 The design of the boatshed is attributed to Felix Whitwell6 (see illustrationNo 7). who was said to be a club member and acted as honorary architect for the building. Hissignature appears on the original Public Works drawings dated 1905, see copies attached later inthe report. The two storey, timber framed/weatherboard building with a corrugated galvanisediron roof was built on timber piles over the nver just east of Barrack Street (see illustrations 3 & 4plus photographs).

The new boatshed was built soon after the redevelopment of the old Barrack Street water front toform Barrack or Union Jack Square as it was then known 7 The redevelopment absorbed the oldboatshed area and it is not known whether this formed the incentive for the move or simply arequirement for better accommodation. The new boatshed was financed with £10 debentures8purchased by club members and when it was completed contributed to the collection of buildingsalong the foreshore descnbed as the "little colony of club houses at the foot of Barrack Street"9 .These club houses included the Swan River Rowing Club, Perth Dinghy Club, Government(Police) and the Australian Natives Association boat houses to the east of Barrack Street. To thewest were the Perth Swimming Baths, Royal Perth Yacht Club and the Royal Flying Squadronsclub houses. Generally these other club houses were larger and more imposing than the WARC(see illustrations 5 & 6), however they have now all long since been demolished or destroyed byfire. The last to be removed was the Swan River Rowing Club immediately to the west ofW.A.R.C., demolished in 1976.10

The W.A.R.C. boatshed has remained in its original form except for the addition on the westernside, of a section of upper floor 'lean-to' accommodation over a part of the original lower floorlean-to. It appears from general photographs of the foreshore that this addition occurred betweenthe wars, possibly the late 1920's.

6

Whilst the building is still utilised for its onginai purpose after nearly 90 years, it has been morethan just a boatshed for members and the residents of Perth. The lower floor is basically onelarge space providing storage and boatshed facilities where as the upper floor is divided into twomam spaces for club functions and facilities. The northern space upstairs was originally alocker/dressing room as indicated on the drawings and now provides a gym facility for members.The southern space is completely open, with roof trusses to avoid the internal columns of theother space, and appears to always have been the clubroom for social activities. As well as clubactivities it has provided a venue for member's family celebrations, servicemen during the warand various functions for university students over the years.

The last 40 years have seen the condition of the boatshed deteriorate, particularly the timberpiles and the external weatherboards The W A.R.C. has struggled with fluctuating membershipand finances to address the work orders of vanous statutory authorities. In 1962 the boatshedreceived a cosmetic facelift for the British Commonwealth and Empire Games held in Perth thatyear. Since then however the balcony, external stair and gable end on the southern elevationhave been removed (approx. late 1960's) because they were deemed unsafe.

There have been various proposals to either relocate the club house to another site closer to theCauseway in the early 70's 11 or, as in the mid 80's, to combine it with the redevelopment of theBarrack Street Jetty such as the 'Port of Perth' proposal. This proposal involved converting thetop floor into a restaurant in exchange for renovating the club house12 . This proposal did notproceed and whilst that was welcomed in some quarters, alternative finance has not beenavailable to arrest gradual deterioration of the building.

Due to pressure from the Swan River Management Authority and the Department of Marine &Harbours in 1979, Fraser Consultants13 prepared a specification No 80037 dated July 1980 forconcrete encasing and capping the timber piles supporting the boatshed. A report of aninspection in December 1985 from the Department of Marine and Harbours dated 10 March 1986stated that whilst "37 of the 42 piles had been concrete sleeved to varying standards, theremaining 5 are rotting timber piles" and "possibly 17 only have been capped to thespecification"14 . Little has been done since that time and whilst deterioration has continued it isthe writers opinion from initial inspections that, for its age the building is in remarkably goodcondition structurally. There is ovious work required to piling and cladding but overall the timberframing appears reasonably sound.

In 1979 the boatshed was classified by the National Trust and entered on the Register of theNational Estate in 1982 with the following description and statement.

NATIONAL TRUST -DESCRIPTION

The WA Rowing Club is the oldest rowing club in Perth and was founded in 1868. Thesepremises were erected for them in 1905 with Felix Whitwell as honorary architect It is a twostorey timber construction, built on piles over the nver and with CGI roof and ornate gable ends.A balcony has been removed. This building is now unique to the Perth district.

NATIONAL TRUST - STATEMENT

This building has constructional interest because it is a two storey timber building constructed onpiles over the water. It is of historic interest because it houses the first rowing club in WA, whichwas founded in 1868 and is now the last remaining such building. It is indicative also of one ofthe many uses to which the nver has been put for over a century.

These descriptions should be expanded in line with the Statement of Significance set out earlierin this report when the building is listed in the Register of Western Australian Hentage.

10

CONCLUSION

The West Australian Rowing Club boatshed represents the last vestage of the historic business,recreational and social life that took place and proliferated on the Swan River and Perthforeshore from the establishment of the colony in 1829 through to the 1940's. It is remarkable,not only that the building has survived in its ongmal form, when all other and more imposingstructures have disappeared, but that the purpose for which it was originally built, rowing,remains as its sole daily function after nearly 90 years. Unfortunately there is little collectedinformation on the early activities of the nver foreshore and the boatshed, although the clubhistory2 does provide a source of information. There does seem to be some discrepancies ininformation and great lack of detail in some areas that warrants further research.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The boatshed of the W.A.R.C. should be entered into the Register of the HeritageCouncil of WA.

2. Existing descriptions of the building with National Trust and National Estate should beexpanded in line with the Statement of Significance.

3. Sources of funding should be urgently identified and accessed to facilitate restoration ofthe building.

4. Further research is required to bring together interpretative material and consolidateinformation in the Battye Library on the history of the W.A.R.C. and the early nverforeshore environment.

11

Annexure C

Annexure D

Perth Dinghy, Club —' v

Annexure E

Photo courtesy Baytte Library (1286P)

Annexure F

"WVvn\\\

ANNEXURE FWARC Proposal

Existing Proposal

- Jetties close to waterline

- Boat ramp floating

FinishLines

Steps down

Annexure G

Annexure H

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